Hierarchic: 4 Main Ideas

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Name:

Sam McCall
Is about

Date:

9-19-13

Discussion
Main idea Main idea

Discussion is an instructional strategy that involves students sharing ideas about a common topic.
Main idea Main idea

Planning

Implementing

Assessment

Motivation

Identify topics for discussion. Free-form chatting is unlikely to yield powerful results. Select learning objectives. These will help the instructor moderate while keeping track of learning progress. Establishing background is essential. Assign research or deliver a lecture prior to discussion. Establish structure. Organize so that discussion can be fluid and effective. Perhaps give an introduction and divide students into groups.

3 phases: introduction, exploration, and closure. Introduction Get students interested and engaged. Perhaps start with a brief assignment. Exploration Students discuss. Encourage all to share. Guide toward higher levels of understanding. Watch out for monopolizers. Closure - Review. Summarize. Bring clarity to various and differing perspectives. Connect to future lessons.

Assessment of content understanding and critical thinking may come in the form of an assigned essay in which students must use evidence from a text, lecture, or outside research. Assessment of social development occurs through systematic observation. To do this, select criteria for acceptable performance and take make notes of students contributions.

Students may be motivated by a desire to be heard. Students may also be excited at the opportunity to socialize as part of an assignment. Success through teacher approval may be a motivator. Finally, the knowledge that a grade will be derived from performance is always a factor.

So what? What is important to understand about this?

Discussion is an effective and engaging model capable of bringing deeper understanding and enabling valuable social development.